In 1784, George Washington described Ohio with words that would prove prophetic: "It has always been my opinion that the shortest, easiest, and least expensive communication with the invaluable back country would be to let the courses and distances be taken to the mouth of the Muskingham and up that river [Muskingham and Tuscarawas] to the carrying place [Akron] to the Cuyahoga, down the Cuyahoga to Lake Erie."
At the start of the nineteenth century, Ohio was isolated from the mainstream of economic vitality in America. Our state was rich in natural resources, but inaccessible to the established eastern markets; and while Ohio had valuable river-based transportation potential, that potential was unrealized.
In 1825, the State of Ohio began to build the Ohio & Erie Canal, which followed Washington's route. The canal defined the settlement patterns of numerous towns, villages and cities along its course. It stimulated tremendous growth and prosperity in Ohio and opened the western frontier of America.
Today, communities from Cleveland to Dover/New Philadelphia are celebrating the contributions of the canal through the development of the Ohio & Erie Canalway.
Ohio & Erie Canalway follows the course of the Ohio & Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. It incorporates a landscape noted for its rich natural beauty, distinct historic and cultural resources and vibrant commercial districts. Ohio & Erie Canalway is a new kind of park, blending existing park sites, neighborhoods, downtowns and even industrial facilities with new parks, trails and museums into a mosaic of special places marked by the stories that have defined our region's growth.
Explore this vast, linear heritage greenway by hiking or biking on the Towpath Trail and its connector routes by driving along the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Scenic Byway or by boarding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Along the way, you will learn stories of transportation and the importance of the Ohio Canal. You will also learn about the contribution of the people who settled here and the natural landscape that shaped their settlement patterns.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway invites you to the numerous special events throughout the year, ranging from marathon races and bike tours to concerts by the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and dance performances from Ohio Ballet. There are ethnic festivals, air shows, soapbox derbies, live theatre and more. So, whether it's a drive through the countryside, a guided walk through a historic neighborhood, a canoe trip down a river, a bike ride along the Towpath, or a ride on the Scenic Railroad, you will discover limitless choices of things to do for people of all ages along the Ohio & Erie Canalway.
In 1787, George Washington introduced the idea of connecting the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico with a canal through the center of Ohio. Thirty-eight years later, thousands of laborers joined Alfred Kelley to dig a canal through Ohio's wilderness, connecting the prosperous Atlantic states to the Gulf of Mexico. In doing so, they opened the heartland of America for settlement.
The Ohio Canal - and later its railroads - connected the Cuyahoga Valley of Ohio to the nation and the world. The canal defined our settlements, fueled our economy and helped launch the industrial revolution. Decades and decades later, it became forgotten and neglected.
Today, the hidden, long forgotten treasures of the Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio Canal and the river that runs through it, can once again become a regional asset - the next jewel in an expanding "emerald necklace" of parks and open space.
A MODERN VISION
Imagine a park that stretches 110 miles; a greenway that reclaims abused landfills and transforms them into open spaces; a place where exploring stories of our past is both fun and interactive; a destination for local residents and visitors, alike. Imagine a region tied together by an intricate trail network, a national scenic byway and an excursion railroad, embracing a common identity: The Ohio & Erie Canalway.What was once a regional dream is now a reality - on solid foundation. A continuing, successful partnership process is underway. This regional partnership is led by Ohio Canal Corridor, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Ohio & Erie Canalway Association and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The Mission of Ohio Canal Corridor extends beyond the creation of a regional park system that follows the historic Ohio Canal. It represents an effort to revitalize the region through the recognition, preservation, enhancement and packaging of our most significant natural, cultural and historic resources. Through this initiative, we seek to expand recreational opportunities and sensitive economic developments, all the while providing opportunity for community participation and involvement. The final product, a 110-mile heritage greenway called the Ohio & Erie Canalway, re-energizes those neighborhoods and communities at the core of our counties - making them the best places to live, work and play.
